Report will detail plan to streamline state law enforcement

A report to be released Saturday will show how Alabama can save money by consolidating the functions of 21 separate law enforcement agencies, Gov. Robert Bentley said Tuesday. Streamlining the state's law enforcement and investigative missions had been recommended by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston.

The Associated Press

By Dana BeyerleMontgomery Bureau Chief

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | A report due to the governor Saturday will show how Alabama can save money by consolidating the functions of 21 separate law enforcement agencies, Gov. Robert Bentley said Tuesday.

On June 21, Bentley used an executive order to create the Integrated State Law Enforcement Task Force. He instructed task force members to recommend ways to save money while preserving safety.

Streamlining the state's law enforcement and investigative missions had been recommended by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston.

The report will be issued Saturday. Bentley addressed the deadline after a speech to a faith-based group in Prattville.

“I said I would like them to present to me how each agency could cut by 10 percent,” Bentley said. “I'll read it and study it and make decisions on it.”

Bentley said efficiencies through consolidating law enforcement functions and common purchasing are laudable goals, but there is another factor involved.

“Also the most important is to still make sure the people of our state are protected,” Bentley said. “That's paramount. We want to do it in an efficient way.”

Bentley named Homeland Security director Spencer Collier, a former state trooper and legislator, to head the task force. Other members are the directors or commissioners of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Insurance, Department of Revenue, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Leah Garner, a Homeland Security spokeswoman, said the study is being compiled and will be sent to Bentley by the deadline.

Bentley also created a Law Enforcement Stakeholder Advisory Task Force that includes Marsh and House Speaker Mike Hubbard, representatives from sheriff and police chief organizations, state personnel director Jackie Graham and a governor's staff member.

“Mainly, we've been talking about streamlining the state police functions and all the different divisions,” said Boaz Police Chief Terry Davis, a member of the advisory task force.

Marsh signed a contract for $320,000 with Auburn University Montgomery to study consolidation. AUM looked at nearly 200 state agencies and reported about 125 duplicate functions, including the law enforcement and investigative functions of 21 agencies.

Neighboring states have between six and 10 law enforcement and investigation agencies. Alabama's elected attorney general's office would not be part of the consolidation.

Marsh said consolidating agencies with law enforcement and investigation functions into seven could save $260 million over 10 years.

“With this plan, I hope the governor's task force has a road map to follow on streamlining these departments and agencies,” Marsh said. “Making state government more efficient will be a top legislative priority in the 2013 session and we will be pre-filing legislation to ensure this public safety effort is addressed.”

The legislative session begins in February.

Hubbard said “it is the Legislature's duty to ensure that state government is operating as efficiently as possible and that taxpayers are getting their money's worth.”

<p>MONTGOMERY | A report due to the governor Saturday will show how Alabama can save money by consolidating the functions of 21 separate law enforcement agencies, Gov. Robert Bentley said Tuesday.</p><p>On June 21, Bentley used an executive order to create the Integrated State Law Enforcement Task Force. He instructed task force members to recommend ways to save money while preserving safety.</p><p>Streamlining the state's law enforcement and investigative missions had been recommended by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston.</p><p>The report will be issued Saturday. Bentley addressed the deadline after a speech to a faith-based group in Prattville.</p><p>“I said I would like them to present to me how each agency could cut by 10 percent,” Bentley said. “I'll read it and study it and make decisions on it.”</p><p>Bentley said efficiencies through consolidating law enforcement functions and common purchasing are laudable goals, but there is another factor involved.</p><p>“Also the most important is to still make sure the people of our state are protected,” Bentley said. “That's paramount. We want to do it in an efficient way.”</p><p>Bentley named Homeland Security director Spencer Collier, a former state trooper and legislator, to head the task force. Other members are the directors or commissioners of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Insurance, Department of Revenue, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.</p><p>Leah Garner, a Homeland Security spokeswoman, said the study is being compiled and will be sent to Bentley by the deadline.</p><p>Bentley also created a Law Enforcement Stakeholder Advisory Task Force that includes Marsh and House Speaker Mike Hubbard, representatives from sheriff and police chief organizations, state personnel director Jackie Graham and a governor's staff member.</p><p>“Mainly, we've been talking about streamlining the state police functions and all the different divisions,” said Boaz Police Chief Terry Davis, a member of the advisory task force.</p><p>Marsh signed a contract for $320,000 with Auburn University Montgomery to study consolidation. AUM looked at nearly 200 state agencies and reported about 125 duplicate functions, including the law enforcement and investigative functions of 21 agencies.</p><p>Neighboring states have between six and 10 law enforcement and investigation agencies. Alabama's elected attorney general's office would not be part of the consolidation.</p><p>Marsh said consolidating agencies with law enforcement and investigation functions into seven could save $260 million over 10 years.</p><p>“With this plan, I hope the governor's task force has a road map to follow on streamlining these departments and agencies,” Marsh said. “Making state government more efficient will be a top legislative priority in the 2013 session and we will be pre-filing legislation to ensure this public safety effort is addressed.”</p><p>The legislative session begins in February.</p><p>Hubbard said “it is the Legislature's duty to ensure that state government is operating as efficiently as possible and that taxpayers are getting their money's worth.”</p>